Joyce Aloyo, 33, a land mine survivor has cried out for help from the Government and President Yoweri Museveni.

The resident of Kabedopong Ward, Bardege-Layibi division in Gulu City, says she became disabled in her right thigh, leg and foot in 1998 during the conflict between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

According to Aloyo, she was seven years old when the incident happened at Twonlyec village, Awach sub-county in Gulu district.

She says the conflict affected her badly and left her with a permanent disability which rendered her vulnerable socially, economically and physically.

Aloyo, who says she needs sh27m to undergo surgery to remove shrapnel from her leg, says as a result of her injury, she was unable to complete the secondary school education that she had enrolled for at Gulu Central High School. 

Aloyo suffered extensive injuries to her limb. Photo by David Magere

She says since her husband died, she is no longer able to fend for her four daughters alone.  

“My children dropped out of school three years ago because I am the only one who was paying their school fees. My grandmother, who I live with, is now too old to take care of us,” Aloyo says as tears flow down her cheeks.

She adds that she was being helped by some charity organisations, but they have since stopped giving support.

Unfulfilled promise  

Aloyo says in 2006, current National Resistance Movement (NRM) party secretary general Richard Todwong took her photos and gave her some forms (about four copies) to fill with the promise that she will be helped by the Government, but up to now nothing has been done about it.

“In 2006, Todwong gave me some forms to fill. Some of the photos were taken when I was naked (in pants only). He promised me that there is a government programming coming to support landmine survivors,” she says, adding that nothing has been done by the Government since and the telephone number that he (Todwong) gave them has never been answered.

Aloyo adds that at one point she got the opportunity to talk to Todwong who told her to wait until President Museveni comes to Gulu City.

Aloyo’s request

Aloyo appeals to the Government, through the President and Good Samaritans to come to her aid because she is suffering.

“I need support from the Government, especially from the President, to pay my children's school fees, get land and build for me a house where I will live in with my children,” Aloyo says as she cries.